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4 gig memory performance
- Thread starter Emrtr4
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Hey 
If you don't use your computer in a way that would normally consume over 2GB's of RAM then you'll get absolutely no performance benefit, as far as I know.
If you're using more than 2GB of memory, causing your computer to 'page out' information to your hard drive, then the performance increase of extra RAM will be substantial.
2GB is a lot of RAM, even by todays standards. Very few computer users actually need more.
If you don't use your computer in a way that would normally consume over 2GB's of RAM then you'll get absolutely no performance benefit, as far as I know.
If you're using more than 2GB of memory, causing your computer to 'page out' information to your hard drive, then the performance increase of extra RAM will be substantial.
2GB is a lot of RAM, even by todays standards. Very few computer users actually need more.
Well right now I have 2 gigs of memory in my (soon needs to be replaced) powerbook G4 and I can say that when I upgraded to 2 gigs from 1, the difference was massive (start up times decreased) and I dont get the slow downs when I have multiple tabs open, items being downloaded, Itunes playing, a magazine or preview open, and workd.
Does seem to be a good price but what is their warranty? Also their image shows modules with Micron chips, which if that is the case it should be pretty decent memory. Crucial currently wants like $369.99 for their 4gb kit http://www.crucial.com/store/mpartspecs.aspx?mtbpoid=FF1F93F9A5CA7304
It is quite a bit of ram though and I have to wonder how many really need this much right now.
Well even if you are not a "power-user" leaving your computer on for long periods of time will make OSX/Applications consume more RAM. In Activity Monitor, the "inactive" part of my RAM is always >50% of the total. And I still get some page-outs. Running parallels however, the page-outs start cranking up
If you can afford it, do it. I run Activity Monitor often. I want to see how the system resources are being used. There are times when I get swapping with 6 GB. I think the computer begins to 'breathe' at 2 GB. It will continue to benefit up to 4 GB. Beyond that, it depends on the applications as to whether additional benefit is realized. It definitely helps video rendering and compression.
Start time for 4GB of RAM is likely to be a big longer than that of 2GB RAM, for MBP and given everything else is equal. Because when you start your computer, you won't have 2GB of stuff to put in the RAM. However the startup test will have to test 2 more GB of RAM. But the difference will be small.
The short answer:
OSX is a Unix OS, Unix loves memory....the more the merrier., Unix will try to keep as much as possible in memory and only start going out to disk (page outs) when it needs space for running tasks. You will definitely see a performance jump by increasing memory (it may not be huge but it will be just that little bit quicker)
Sopranino
OSX is a Unix OS, Unix loves memory....the more the merrier., Unix will try to keep as much as possible in memory and only start going out to disk (page outs) when it needs space for running tasks. You will definitely see a performance jump by increasing memory (it may not be huge but it will be just that little bit quicker)
Sopranino
Well, with 4GB of RAM you likely won't realize that full memory because 32-bit systems use some of the space for video cards, system ROMs, etc. and you really end up with like 3.3 GB instead of 4GB. So the sweet spot for a 32-bit system currently is 3GB.
And yes, I have 4GB in my machine and I only see 3.3 GB usable.
And yes, I have 4GB in my machine and I only see 3.3 GB usable.
Well, with 4GB of RAM you likely won't realize that full memory because 32-bit systems use some of the space for video cards, system ROMs, etc. and you really end up with like 3.3 GB instead of 4GB. So the sweet spot for a 32-bit system currently is 3GB.
And yes, I have 4GB in my machine and I only see 3.3 GB usable.
But that probably isn't a SR machine that supports 4GB?
OWC has a lifetime memory on their ram I believe. I just put 3GB in my macbook and it works like a charm so far.
OWC and $25 rebates for 1GB modules
OWC has a trade-in option at http://eshop.macsales.com/money-back-rebate where you can order your 2 x 2GB modules, install them and send them your 2 x 1GB modules for a 2 x $25 "rebate". A good deal I think. Especially for them. The secondary market for 1GB modules must have huge margins.
OWC has a trade-in option at http://eshop.macsales.com/money-back-rebate where you can order your 2 x 2GB modules, install them and send them your 2 x 1GB modules for a 2 x $25 "rebate". A good deal I think. Especially for them. The secondary market for 1GB modules must have huge margins.
4G support just another marketing scam ... (blame Intel)
I can't believe Apple has joined the bandwagon of false marketing. Dell and Lenovo both have advertised 4G RAM support for awhile when everyone knows 3.3G is the limit on a 32bit architecture (yes all three are using chipset made by Intel). I am as surprised as you. I guess we all kind of thought Apple broke the barrier ... but not yet. I still am excited about the new MBPro and will buy it sometime soon. Also lots of people missed the point in having lots of RAM is extremely helpful if you're into virtualization (VMware Fusion etc) or heavy user of video/photo editing, more RAM will be helpful.
Well, with 4GB of RAM you likely won't realize that full memory because 32-bit systems use some of the space for video cards, system ROMs, etc. and you really end up with like 3.3 GB instead of 4GB. So the sweet spot for a 32-bit system currently is 3GB.
And yes, I have 4GB in my machine and I only see 3.3 GB usable.
I can't believe Apple has joined the bandwagon of false marketing. Dell and Lenovo both have advertised 4G RAM support for awhile when everyone knows 3.3G is the limit on a 32bit architecture (yes all three are using chipset made by Intel). I am as surprised as you. I guess we all kind of thought Apple broke the barrier ... but not yet. I still am excited about the new MBPro and will buy it sometime soon. Also lots of people missed the point in having lots of RAM is extremely helpful if you're into virtualization (VMware Fusion etc) or heavy user of video/photo editing, more RAM will be helpful.
you do know that santa rosa can use 4,
it was the old systems that they advertised as 3, but could actually use 3.3
this is not false marketing they are telling the truth!
it was the old systems that they advertised as 3, but could actually use 3.3
this is not false marketing they are telling the truth!
actually Apple never advertised previous mbook and mbookpros as able to run 4gb, nor they offered a 4gb option (although some online vendors did) but in comparison Dell was selling 4gb configuration for machines that could address only 3.3gb max (it's been discussed here many times before).
A previous post mentioned he had 4G on a MBPro and only saw 3.3. Also if you go to Intel's web site and look up the chipset, it states 4G support, however the designers of hw have to reserve memory space for hw addressing. http://download.intel.com/design/mobile/datashts/31627301.pdf Go to page 42 on the pdf, it states it's up to the bios designer to limit 'reserve' space to allocate memory mappings for PCI/APIC etc. Looking through this doc, it looks like the exact same problem as before. e.g. only 3.3 is usable on the new chipset. Can anyone reply that actually has 4G installed, 2x2G DIMMS? I'd like to know for sure ...
From Bootcamp on the 15" MBP, XP/Vista only saw 2.98GB of ram as reported by checking the properties of "My Computer".
OSX Reports seeing all 4GB by checking "About this Mac".
Sweet, must be a PC limitation then (bye bye Dell). Nice to see you can actually get 4G usable. Now it got much more interesting to check out the 4G kits from Crucial/Kingston or Samsung. Thanks.
It's an operating system limitation. OS X is 64-bit, and the transition to 64-bit was painless for users. Windows you have to choose between a separate 32-bit and 64-bit version. The 64-bit version is much less compatible with programs and drivers, so for the vast majority of people they need to choose a regular 32-bit version, except that limits you to around 3GB of RAM.
OS X the only limitation is what the hardware can support. Probably the new Macbook Pro can actually support MORE than 4GB, once even larger DIMMs are available.